BACKDROP # 5
rating: 4,5 of 6
A nice zine it is. And yes, I like it even though Backdrop is emphasized mostly on HC and stuff like that, you see. This issue features pretty intriguing chats with ENDSTAND, COSTA▓S CAKE HOUSE, MOONSORROW, IMPEDIGON, DARK DAY DUNGEON, STRENGTH IN NUMBERS and Ato (Side Up zine), as well as reviews and a couple of┘ erh┘ not exactly articles but more likely writings expressing the author▓s opinion on this or what phenomena. Backdrop comes with a pretty good layout, so┘ Of course, I▓d prefer if Kristof was interviewing more bands like MOONSORROW, but what can I do. Anyway, a good zine to check out.
Backdrop zine / Bral Kristof
Reepstraat 124
9170 Sint-Gillis-Waas
Belgium
Tel: 03/770.74.30
E-mail: Backdrop.zine@village.uunet.be
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

GOLDEN LAKE
July / August 2000
rating: 4 of 6
Actually, this is a mailorder catalogue supplemented with some interviews as well as reviews on new additions. Looking pretty nice at the first sight, later it reveals few drawbacks such as incomprehensible ads▓ scanning (simply check out Gutter Records▓ advertising sheet), however fortunately that▓s all I could possibly cavil at. This issue (?) features int▓s arranged with NIGHTFALL, ABADDON INCARNATE, MYRKSKOG, FORGOTTEN SILENCE and  SANCTIMONY. The reviews are 34 in total, being rather informative. All in all, I▓d recommend you to order this one, especially taking into account the fact it▓s free.
Email: serenade4@yahoo.co.uk
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

METAL FORCE #3
Summer 2000
rating: 4,5 of 6
Ok, this one comes with BENIGHTED SKY, OLD MONKS▓ SAGA, SPARROW MUTANT, TEMPLE OF OBLIVION, VALHALLA (Ukr) and PANTERA interviews, as well as some reviews and live reports. Written mostly in Russian (although the careful reader would easily discover that few materials, such as PANTERA intie, a couple of reviews and editorial are all in Ukrainian). Doesn▓t really matter, anyway. This issue is much better than both previous ones, at least judging by interviews▓ quality. The only thing I absolutely hate when it comes to this edition, is the interview with SPARROW MUTANT. Pathos is ok only when it proves it▓s value, otherwise it clearly signifies the lack of reason, as well as mental depravity. And that phrase stating that ⌠Ukrainian is nothing but a parody of Russian language■ is simply disgusting. Fuck off, morons.
Email: metalforce@ingok.com.ua
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

OUPIRIC Newsletter #8
Summer 2000
rating: 3 of 6
This is already eighth newsletter edition released by Michael Nickolayev (a.k.a. Oupire), quite well-known person in the Russian underground thanks to his participation in FESTERGUTS and CRYPTHOWL, as well as leading a label of his own (Oupiric Productions) (six MC releases so far). Well, this is only a newsletter, but anyway, I demand more information √ while here we have only a couple of interviews with bands signed to Oupiric Prod., such as DENIAL OF GOD (hardly readable because of the bad printing quality and b / w logo placed in the middle of the text (!), thus overshading it), GOTHIC SKY and DYSANCHELLY + ⌠editorial■ and distro list. That▓s it. It▓s free, though.
Email: oupiric@mail.ru
(review by Herr Stalhammar)